Dataset Information

Animal welfare in studies on murine tuberculosis: assessing progress over a 12-year period and the need for further improvement.

ABSTRACT: There is growing concern over the welfare of animals used in research, in particular when these animals develop pathology. The present study aims to identify the main sources of animal distress and to assess the possible implementation of refinement measures in experimental infection research, using mouse models of tuberculosis (TB) as a case study. This choice is based on the historical relevance of mouse studies in understanding the disease and the present and long-standing impact of TB on a global scale. Literature published between 1997 and 2009 was analysed, focusing on the welfare impact on the animals used and the implementation of refinement measures to reduce this impact. In this 12-year period, we observed a rise in reports of ethical approval of experiments. The proportion of studies classified into the most severe category did however not change significantly over the studied period. Information on important research parameters, such as method for euthanasia or sex of the animals, were absent in a substantial number of papers. Overall, this study shows that progress has been made in the application of humane endpoints in TB research, but that a considerable potential for improvement remains.

SUBMITTER: Franco NH

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3482232 | biostudies-other | 2012

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-other

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Animal welfare in studies on murine tuberculosis: assessing progress over a 12-year period and the need for further improvement.

Franco Nuno Henrique NH Correia-Neves Margarida M Olsson I Anna S IA

PloS one 20121026 10

There is growing concern over the welfare of animals used in research, in particular when these animals develop pathology. The present study aims to identify the main sources of animal distress and to assess the possible implementation of refinement measures in experimental infection research, using mouse models of tuberculosis (TB) as a case study. This choice is based on the historical relevance of mouse studies in understanding the disease and the present and long-standing impact of TB on a g ...[more]

PMID: 23110093

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Project description:Chickens are the world's most widely used farm animal and have a significant genetic diversity. In the current study, we investigated three strains for their suitability as dual-purpose chickens, with a focus on the fattening ability and welfare of the cockerels: 1. layer cockerels (Lohmann Brown, LB, n = 714); 2. cockerels of a dual-purpose hybrid (Lohmann Dual, LD, n = 844); and 3. cockerels of a native breed (Rhinelander, RL, n = 458). Chicks were raised under identical conditions and marked individually to compare focus and random sampling methods for weighing birds weekly. Because chicks of dual-purpose origins are usually raised mixed-sex, cockerels and pullets were weighed and observed together until sexes the were identifiable at week 10 of their life. During the 10th to 20th week of life, investigations were continued on 100 cockerels per genotype. Key figures for growth performance, such as feed conversion ratio (FCR) and European production efficiency factor (EPEF), were also calculated at weekly intervals. LD cockerels showed considerable growth performance (p < 0.001 compared to LB, RL, 2 kg at 9 weeks), whereas LB reached a live weight of 2 kg at 13 weeks and RL at 15 weeks of age. Genotype-dependent differences were also evident, with favorable FCR and EPEF for LD, intermediate for LB, and unfavorable for RL (all p < 0.001). The results of the FCR and EPEF suggest that cockerels should be slaughtered around week 8 of life, although only the carcass of the LD might be marketable. Thus, the optimal time of slaughter based on production parameters such as FCR and EPEF is different from the time when the animal reaches a marketable 2 kg live weight. Animal-based welfare indicators revealed that the RL are not adapted to production environments, including those that are extensive. Further research aimed at adapted feed management, including better FCR, and animals adapted to the respective production environments is necessary to improve alternative poultry production in the future.

Project description:AimTo identify the main trajectories of alcohol misuse among UK military personnel from 12 years after the start of the Iraq war (2003) and the factors associated with each trajectory.DesignLongitudinal cohort study with three phases of data collection (2004-06, 2007-09 and 2014-16).SettingUnited Kingdom.ParticipantsServing and ex-serving personnel of the UK Armed Forces (n = 7111) participating at Phase 1 and at least one follow-up phase of the King's Centre for Military Health Research (KCMHR) cohort study.MeasurementsTrajectories of alcohol misuse were derived from scores using the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT-10) over three data collection phases. Demographic and military characteristics were collected and, among the key covariates, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) was measured using the PTSD checklist (PCL-C) and childhood interpersonal stress and violence was measured using items from the Adverse Childhood Experiences questionnaire.FindingsFive trajectories of alcohol misuse were identified, including 'no misuse' (n = 2249, 31.6%) and 'hazardous' (n = 3398, 47.8%), 'harmful' (n = 832, 11.7%), 'severe-to-hazardous' (n = 258, 5.3%) and 'severe' (n = 374, 3.6%) drinking. Substantial changes were evident only among severe drinkers, where more than half reduced over the study period. The factors most strongly associated with belonging to harmful/severe drinking classes were young age, male gender and childhood adversities and antisocial behaviour. Severe drinkers at Phase 1 were more likely to report probable PTSD and shorter military careers and were less likely to serve as Officers. Persistent severe drinkers were less likely to serve in the RAF compared to the Army and were more likely to be reserves. Not misusing alcohol was also associated with reserve status and having left service.ConclusionsIn a cohort of approximately 7000 UK military personnel, trajectories of alcohol misuse appeared stable between 2004 and 2016. More than half of severe drinkers made substantial improvements over the period, but 68% of the cohort continued to drink hazardously or harmfully. Lack of change for the majority of the sample signals the need for strategies to address alcohol misuse and its cultural and psychosocial drivers.

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Dataset Information

Animal welfare in studies on murine tuberculosis: assessing progress over a 12-year period and the need for further improvement.

Publications

Animal welfare in studies on murine tuberculosis: assessing progress over a 12-year period and the need for further improvement.

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